How to Choose a Real Estate Agent A reputable Realtor and real estate agency can make a big difference when you buy or sell a home. There are thousands of dollars at stake. You could get the asking price or maybe you will have to settle for the best offer on the table. A real estate agency will act in your best interests. That's why it's essential to find a highquality real estate agency. Reputation says a lot about a company. What do people say about their services. Ask your family, friends and neighbors for recommendations. Their experiences will guide you toward a reputable agency. Once you have a list of possibilities, do some research. Find out how long the agency has been in business. Ideally, you want people who know your community. If the real estate agency is merely a side business, it might not give you the best results. Buying and selling homes is a full time job. Look on the Internet and read customer service reviews. They should also have an impact on your overall impression of an agency. Once you have narrowed your list, contact some businesses and ask them questions. You
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should know about their listings, fees and commissions. If an agency is focusing on their own best interests rather than marketing your home, you should drop them from you list. You need someone who will help you. Choose an agency that has connections with the community, a sharp understanding of neighborhoods that interest you and solid contacts with other realty companies. This assumes major importance when you’re selling your current house, because the agency usually handles the sale while the Realtor helps you find your new one. The marketing strategy and advertising is what makes each agency unique. It will greatly influence the sale of your home. Although most companies might look the same, real estate agencies have a preference for the kind of properties they show or sell. These concentrations might include commercial properties or high-end homes. Try to find a business with a focus that concentrates on selling homes similar to yours. Look at an agency's listings to see if your home would fit in nicely with their existing clients. If you were purchasing a home, would you find their listings easy to read and informative?
The size of the agency will have an impact on your experience. Small agencies can provide more personalized service, but they may not have the networking advantages of a large company. Big agencies have more opportunities to network and sell your home, but they may have to divide their time among many clients. Be prepared to ask an agency the following questions if you are selling your home: • How will you advertise my home? Will you use the Internet and newspapers? • How many pictures of my house will appear online? • On which sites will my home be featured? • Do you have other homes that have recently been sold in this price range? • How long has the agency been selling homes in my neighborhood? • What makes your agency unique? The two biggest financial decisions you will make in your lifetime are buying and selling a home. Protect your investment and peace of mind by choosing the best and most trustworthy real estate agency you can find.
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